New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-09
SURPRISED BY A BID.
A CONTRACT THE CRAMPS DID NOT GET.
THE BIDDING on TIE 19-KNor CRUISERS. THE
NEWARK AND THE TWO NEW GrNBoATs.
fur rELsSaAPI rux TRIBUNE

wAsUINGToN, Aug. S.-The opening OF bids for
the nineteen knot cruisers, the Newark and the two
new gunbvaIs, to-day, brought some surprises. be-
fore the ceremony began it was apparent that Mr.
Whitney feared that bids might not be offered on all
the .hips There were three little piles OF envelopes
on the table before him, indicating that there were
only three competitors. Mr.. Wh'ney's voice was
not quite firm when he read the answers to two ques
tons propounded by bidders, The pupor oil wuich 10
given by the Associated Press. Among the hundred
persons or more who were present, not more than
two or three probably void have guessed that
Cramo & Sons would be underbd by anybody, ana
when q bid of the same class $1,000 lower was
registered Mr.. Whitney's lac showed surprise and
the countenance OF Charles Cramp fell.
OF course the building OF the Newark will go to
the Cramps and so will of the cruisers Alter
the bids had teen read Secretary Whitney asked MT.
Palmer the representative OF the successful bidders
Tor the quo hoats-N F. Palmer, Jr., * Co-where
their yard
son" said he we will build the hulls at Chester'
A great deal of astoDis lnent v9s manifested by
naval officers ut the result OF The bids on the gun
boats as most OF them thougnt that Cramp n sons
ought to be able 10 build these vessels much cheaper
than anybody else because they have patterns Tor
gunbo,t which is copy OF those to DC built under
this letting,
rho bids were opened at in tho Office OF the
Secretary of the Navy. The cruisers TO be CON
s'ruc.ed last provided Tor by Congress are the
Newark, 40 L. /, 600 tons displacement; cruisers
Nos ( and g. 1000 tons each, ana gunbo Is Nos 3
and 4. 700 tons displacement each. The Secretary
announced that bias had been made for all the
vessels at prices we'll within the limits prescribed py
Congress. The hi Is OF three classes: FIRST
for the hull and machinery upon tho plans nj the
department; second. hull and m ichInery upon the
contractors own plans third, the hull after the
plans of the department and machinery after builders
own plans approved by tde department.
Toere wa. but one bid upon the Newark, which
was by william Cramp 81 Sons, under class one,
the price being II, LlS 900.
rhs Union Iron Works of San Francisco bid under
class one for either cruiser No. 4 or No. at
$1.42o. 900; William Cramp IL Sous bid upon
cruisers Nos. and under class one. at 81, 1loooO
each under C asa two at $l.325,C COO each under
C ass two. with special modncai1ns. at Tl,35O,OoO
each, nader class three 1T 81 400 OoO.
William Crlmp ~ Sons bid Tor the Two gunbOats at
S49j, 900 aud y. f. Palmer & Co., OF New-YOrk,
bid for the s. ~ Si9U.'oU.
Seereta>T Wnitnev said to an Associated Pres
reporter opeDug the bids IL Is great relief
to nv mud, getting this ont OF the waw Ibe re-
qnir6mtnt- which tine contractors a--unc are more
exact no than in the Ga OF any previous biohih-.
The law FOR cruisers Nos and provides that the
Tor construction OF them shall contain
PROVISIONS 10 the effect that the contractor guhrah-
tees ha. whom completed and tested Tor sp ed. under
crndions to he pr scriDed Oy the Navy Department,
the vessel shall cxGIbIt maximum speed oi least
ninet KNOBS hour, and Tor every quarter knot
spced exh bited above said guarantee the con-
tractor shall receive n premium over and above II
contract price OF 10000. and Tor every quarter
knot mat laid vessel tails OF reaching sail guaranteed
speed :here shall be ded cted from The contract nIce
the sum o. 93O,OOO. The department. u pro cflDcu
four hours run for ths riathe vessel 90 no lOa"ed
to load ranght-so IN 4 th're * 10 be no
shamniug in the c0ndIti OF the trial Fuis con
tract is bud Tor by boih the UuOn Iron Works and
Cramp & sons and it ia requirement which calls
for boat up TO the highes, point ia the point OF
speed which these cruisers have reached anywhere.
" notice that the CramTs offer to guarantee these
results upon their desgns Tor 100000 less than
thev ask t. do it upon the departments designs.
this shows confidence their ability. OF course the
ions OF the bidding drive of people who are not
sure OF their ground hut consider that wo are v'ry
fortunate IN Leing able 10 place all oil the bO. u with
responsible parties with these very eNacng require
ments. The gdnboAts bid Tor by Qulntard. one OF
Mr.. goaci's assisnees OF rather by Mr.. Quintirds
concern, and If The award il made 20 Mr.. Palmer. lao
informs that the huls will he Dut At tue Roach
works Chester and the machinery with the Qun,ard
Iron " 1IkR.u